Tamkeen Highlights Its Role in Developing National Talent in the Industrial Sector at “Made in GCC 2026” Forum and Exhibition
The Labour Fund (Tamkeen)participated in the “Made in GCC 2026” Forum and Exhibition, Under the Royal Patronage of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, hosted by the Kingdom of Bahrain from 6th –8th October 2026 at Exhibition World Bahrain.
The event brings together government officials, policymakers, industry leaders, investors, and experts from across the GCC to discuss the future of Gulf industries. Key topics include industrial integration, smart and sustainable manufacturing, innovation, financing, and developing the skills needed for the future.
During the forum, Her Excellency Ms. Maha Abdulhameed Mofeez, Chief Executive of the Labour Fund (Tamkeen), participated in a panel discussion titled “GCC Talent: From Skills Development to Employment,” where she highlighted the Kingdom of Bahrain’s experience in developing national talent and equipping Bahrainis with the skills required to keep pace with the rapid developments in the industrial sector. She also highlighted Tamkeen’s efforts to support the training of Bahrainis and enhance their readiness to benefit from the high-quality opportunities offered by the sector.
During the session, Her Excellency emphasized the importance of the industrial sector as one of the key drivers of economic growth, diversification, and innovation, highlighting its role in boosting exports, enhancing productivity, attracting investment, and creating high-quality employment opportunities for national talent, in addition to its broader impact across various economic sectors.
She noted that the manufacturing sector accounted for approximately 14.6% of GDP in the first quarter of 2026, making it the second-largest contributor among economic activities. She also highlighted that the industrial sector is among the largest sectors in the Kingdom of Bahrain in terms of the number of enterprises, reflecting its significant position and pivotal role in the national economy.
She further explained that the rapid transformations driven by the Fourth Industrial Revolution, including automation, artificial intelligence, advanced technologies, and smart factories, are reshaping the nature of jobs and the skills required in the industrial sector.
She emphasized that investing in national talent is equally as important as investing in technology and infrastructure. The future of industry requires talent capable of leading digital transformation, operating advanced technologies, analyzing data, and developing innovative solutions that enhance efficiency and productivity and strengthen the competitiveness of enterprises. This further underscores the importance of continuously developing and upskilling national talent to ensure their readiness for the jobs of the future.
Her Excellency also highlighted the role of the Labour Fund “Tamkeen” in supporting this direction through various programs and initiatives targeting both individuals and enterprises. These include support for digital transformation, financing, employment, and wages, in addition to training and professional development programs as well as apprenticeship programs.
These efforts help enterprises build the capabilities and expertise required to keep pace with the demands of modern industry, while also enhancing the competitiveness, employability, and career progression of Bahraini talent. She noted that Tamkeen has dedicated a team to engage directly with enterprises in the industrial sector through a proactive approach focused on identifying their needs and exploring opportunities for growth and development. This contributes to enhancing the effectiveness of the support provided, increasing the sector’s contribution to economic growth, and creating more high-quality employment opportunities for national talent.
In conclusion, Her Excellency emphasized that the integration of investment in technology, national talent, partnerships, and innovation is a fundamental pillar for building a more competitive and sustainable industrial sector that can keep pace with future transformations and contribute effectively to driving economic growth in the Kingdom.
The “Made in GCC 2026” Forum and Exhibition address several key themes, including industrial policies, regional value chains and supply chain resilience, access to global markets, financing mechanisms, smart manufacturing and advanced technologies, sustainability, and national talent development. These topics are explored across eight panel discussions featuring more than 40 speakers, including decision-makers and industrial sector leaders from across the GCC and beyond.